Next Bonus, 100!!
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They looked at Sabo, standing shoulder to shoulder with Luffy, facing down the Admiral. His fiery Haki was like a torch, rekindling the embers of their own fighting spirit.
The wind howled again, a turbulent gale created by the clash of their Haki.
"People without power don't have the right to talk about dreams? What kind of bullshit is that?" Sabo's voice was filled with a righteous fury. "That's exactly why you have to chase them! You hold fast to your goal, and even if you fail, you never give up!"
"Kuzan! Before nature, all men are weak!"
"But a person's dream... will never end!"
His words were a gale of their own, a storm of defiance.
A dream that never ends.
Looking at these young men, Kuzan was lost in a memory. He saw a younger version of himself, of Sakazuki, of Borsalino... they had all been like this once, full of hope for the future.
But reality... had a way of grinding down hope, dreams, and justice.
He saw Garp in them. That fearless spirit, that broadness of heart, that unwavering resolve... the charisma of the strong.
"Empty talk is easy," Kuzan said, his eyes narrowing. "But it's not enough. First, you have to get through me."
"Dragon Claw Fist!" Sabo attacked.
At the same time, Luffy's arm stretched back, Zoro drew his three swords, and the others all charged.
And then, just as quickly, they were all frozen, their limbs encased in ice. Luffy was a solid statue.
Kuzan, by himself, had defeated the Straw Hat crew and the Revolutionaries.
It wasn't a fight. It was a lesson.
But Kuzan didn't arrest them. He picked up the coat he had dropped, got on his bicycle, and leisurely rode away.
"I'm on vacation, after all..."
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From afar, Jin watched with a raised eyebrow. He'd expected Kuzan to let the Straw Hats go this once.
For one, Luffy was Garp's grandson, and Kuzan was Garp's protégé. He would never seriously try to capture Luffy. He wasn't Sakazuki.
For another, Kuzan was the man with the coldest power, but he had the warmest heart.
It was this contradiction that was the source of his inner conflict. The Ohara incident had tempered his "Burning Justice" into a "Lazy Justice." He was "lazy" because he had a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the way the Marines operated.
Even in his first appearance, he had been chided by the Five Elders for lacking the proper "awareness" of an Admiral. That was why, for many things, they preferred the loyal and efficient Akainu Sakazuki over the beloved-by-his-men Kuzan.
Kuzan was like a bird in a cage. He wanted to spread his wings, but it was too painful. His life within the Marines was not a happy one. He couldn't pursue justice in the way he wanted. His lazy demeanor was a form of passive resistance, a quiet rebellion born from his disillusionment. It was his way of avoiding the missions he didn't want to carry out, of assuaging his own guilt.
Kuzan was a man who didn't know what he wanted.
And a man who hesitates... loses.
It was no surprise that he had lost his fight with Sakazuki.
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Revolutionary reinforcements arrived and freed Sabo and the others.
The two groups said their farewells and once again went their separate ways.
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A few days later, on the Empress, Robin gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. They were much more... normal... than Aurelia.
But to Jin, they were his children. Strong or weak, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that they grew up healthy and happy.
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Time passed. July arrived.
The Straw Hats had their adventures with the Omatsuri Baron and on Karakuri Island.
Then, on Tris Island, they defeated the remnants of Doflamingo's crew.
Doflamingo had operations all over the world. After his fall, most of them had been cleaned up, but some of the stronger members had struck out on their own.
Tris Island was a member nation, but its king had been in league with the pirates, bleeding his people dry. The deal was simple: he'd turn a blind eye to the nobles' assets, but take a seventy percent cut from the common folk.
Luffy had sent them all flying and had obtained a Log Pose for Jaya.
Ever since he had heard about it in the East Blue, he had wanted to see the sky island.
They arrived in Mock Town just as a skyship was taking off, carrying a ship up into the clouds.
They learned that the sky island had opened a "Skyship Express" business, offering to transport pirates and adventurers to the sky for a hefty fee. They also transported cargo.
It was fast and convenient. Its only drawback was the price.
Of course, they could always try their luck with the Knock-Up Stream. But that was a nine-in-ten chance of death.
Anyway, since Wyper and Raki had come down to Mock Town, no one other than Cricket and his crew had made it up to the sky.
Luffy was eager to try the "great adventure" of the Knock-Up Stream, but after a strong protest from Usopp and the others, he reluctantly paid the fee. They had made a good bit of money on Tris Island. They could afford it.
On the sky island, they saw "angels," Dials, and the other local specialties.
They also saw the "Heavenly Palace," a massive structure under construction, and the countless skyships and cloud-boats transporting materials.
And on the Upper Yard, they saw the Poneglyph, now a protected tourist attraction with its own staff. You could even have your picture taken with it, for a price.
And, they heard, the "Roger" who had carved his name on it was the King of the Pirates.
Well... Luffy, a die-hard Roger fan, couldn't resist.
He grinned, showing all his teeth, and snapped a souvenir photo next to the Poneglyph.
The sky island, far removed from the world below, was prospering under its "God's" rule.
The Straw Hats had a relaxing, trouble-free vacation.
After returning to the Blue Sea, they bought a Log Pose from Mock Town and set a course for Water 7.
"This place is so lively!"
The city was filled with the sound of gongs and drums, and firecrackers were going off everywhere.
The Galley-La Company was holding a launching ceremony for a new steamship.
The last four of the ten steamships the Winter Blossom Kingdom had ordered from Water 7 had been completed.
Today was the delivery day.
The commander of CP9, Spandam, now with a Seastone arm, had also arrived.
Years ago, on this very island, his father had died, and he had lost an arm. The memory was still fresh.
He had pinned the blame on Blueno, and his father's death had earned him a shred of pity from the Five Elders. It was the only reason he had kept his position.
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